ts chosen for meetings, instructions for public appearances, and even suggestions for conversation topics. It was overwhelming, but she reminded hers

esy he extended to his employees. Their interactions were brief and to the point, leaving Helena feeling like a guest in

ubted Thom had ever touched. She had taken to spending her evenings there, escaping into stories that offered a reprieve from her reality. The

ere here," he said, his

respond. "I... didn't think you'

s. "I've always meant to spend more time here.

he spines of the books. For the first time, he seemed less like the impe

of it?" she asked befor

, his brow furrowi

The constant pres

g whether to answer. Finally, he said, "You get use

d. She wanted to ask more, to understand the man behind the mask,

returning to its usual clipped t

e'd built around himself, she couldn't shake the feeling that Th

waned, and every public outing was scrutinized. Photographers followed them relentlessly, their cameras capturing every smile,

om entered the room. He was impeccably dressed, as always, but t

she asked, noting the

ion's den," he said. "V

Vivienne? The wom

finds anything that doesn't align with

ned. "Do you think sh

w she operates. But as long as we stay consistent,

being exposed terrified her, not just for what it would mean for Thom but for herse

s they entered, Helena plastered a smile on her face, her arm looped through Thom's. The roo

ate choice to command attention. She approached them with a

to see you again. And Helen

le. "Thank you, Vivienne.

n hearing so much about you. Thom's been quite the enigma over the years, and ye

her voice steady despite the knot in her stomach

dripping with skepticism. "Well, I

haled slowly, the tension in

hat well," Tho

int of approval in his tone. "Thank you.

rkened. "She won't.

ing through endless small talk, she caught glimpses of Thom across the room. He was a master of the game, his charm disarming and his

nk onto the couch, exhausted. Thom poured himself a glass of whiske

said, taking a se

"Do you ever

d. "But you lear

atigue etched into his face. "Y

eyebrow. "D

aid. "Like you weren'

smile, though it didn't reach hi

ou don't have to pretend all th

distance between them seemed to shrink. But t

," he said, his to

that Thom Bernard was a puzzle she might never solve.

buzzing. She groggily reached for it, her heart sinkin

arriage: A Deal o

rds blurring together in her panic. Someone had bee

verything they had worked to build could come crashing down. And this time